The ‘Warrior Tree’ or Hartweg’s Pine (Pinus hartwegii) got its name for good reason. It’s one of the toughest life forms on earth, able to survive at high altitudes and withstand everything from wildfires to freezing temperatures. Scientists have even studied it to find out if we could put trees on Mars!
On Pico de Orizaba, Mexico’s tallest mountain and the highest active volcano in North America, ancient stands of this magnificent tree cling to the slopes at over 4000m in a ‘sky island’. This unique ecosystem forms when a cold mountain peak is surrounded by a sea of hot air, and it sustains a delicately balanced community of plants and animals – even a tiny volcano rabbit, the Teporingo.
But this ecosystem is at grave risk. Decades of logging have destroyed up to 80% of the forest cover, leading to soil instability, increased flooding, and drying riverbeds.
Local organisation ReforestAcción is tackling this on the ground with the Arbor Day Foundation, planting Warrior Tree seedlings, providing local communities with employment, and working to restore this precious ecosystem. As the forests regenerate, they will build slope stability and water retention, and water will fill the valley streams once more.
We’re supporting the reforestation of around 8 hectares of forest. Watch this video from our partner Planet Wild to take a trip to this fascinating ancient volcano and meet the special Warrior Tree.
